Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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783. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if his Department will reimburse parents from the first day their child attends crèche from 29 June 2020 onwards and until they are able to obtain a public services card once local Intreo offices reopen in view of the difficulties for parents obtaining MyGovIDs during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13567/20]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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My Department is aware of the current situation with regard to the Public Service Card, however parents can still apply for the National Childcare Scheme without obtaining a Public Services Card. They can do so by completing a paper application form and returning by post. For information on how to apply by post, parents can contact the Parent Support Centre on 01 906 8530, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

I would also note that parents who already hold a Public Services Card and a basic MyGovidID account can still create a MyGovID verified account, and thereby complete an online application for the National Childcare Scheme. Details on how to do this can be found by logging into a MyGovID basic account, available at www.mygovid.ie.

As such it is open parent to apply at the any stage for an NCS award through online or offline means.  

Regarding the issue of backdating subsidies, it has always been communicated by my Department that subsidy awards are payable from the week they are claimed, and not the date of application. It is a key aspect of the scheme that all claims are paid in arrears based on the attendance of a child. As such, the child must be registered with a childcare provider and the provider must confirm that attendance. This is a key financial and governance control to ensure we are maximising the benefits of public monies and that the investment is following the child.

Further information and resources for parents are available at www.ncs.gov.ie

The closure of Intreo offices has no impact on parents availing of other childcare subsidy supports, namely the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) and the Training and Employment Childcare Scheme (TEC). Subsidies are available to any family who was registered in the childcare service on March 12th from when they return to the service.